Food Network Magazine Great Easy Meals Cookbook
Most people travel to New York to pursue their life-long dreams.
As they take a bite of the big apple, they are faced with the realities of
affordable living in NY. But for some that decision to make a move is the start
of something unimagined. In the words of legendary Frank Sinatra “If I can make
it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you. New York, New York.” For a
small New Jersey chick, life in the city created an opportunity to help others
find big deals in the city. Sara Gaona also known as Small Chick, Big Deals,
finds passion in broadcasting and PR and of course food. She interned at the
Rachael Ray Show in New York City. Being a college student and not being able
to afford fancy lunches, Gaona was determined to find great food in the
city for a good price. This 22 year old travels New York and New Jersey
reviewing restaurants; she finds inspiration in Rachael Ray, Katie Couric, and
Lauren Berger. Even in her busy schedule, Gaona found time to do an interview
with me.
LVD: Tell me about the
restaurant review process, how does it all work?
SG: Before I go into a restaurant and review I try to contact them ahead of time and tell them about my blog and that I’d like to come in. Then I usually go when they are expecting me and review. Some places I don’t always plan on going but if I’m impressed I usually will review and tell them I reviewed them after in that case.
SG: Before I go into a restaurant and review I try to contact them ahead of time and tell them about my blog and that I’d like to come in. Then I usually go when they are expecting me and review. Some places I don’t always plan on going but if I’m impressed I usually will review and tell them I reviewed them after in that case.
I review each place by: Customer Service, Atmosphere/Cleanliness, and
Food/Drink Quality. Then I give a final
score out of 15 because I rate each of the categories 1-5 (1-bad, 5-great) and
I also give my readers a price estimate of either $, $$, or $$$.
LVD: What restaurant(s) in the NY/NJ area if any would
you recommend a New York lover like myself visit?
SG:Well it depends on what you like to eat! There are so many amazing pizzerias in New York and New Jersey! But there is a place in New York I did love and want to go back, it’s called Chat N Chew, I’ve only been there once but I plan on getting in contact with them and going back. I also recommend 696 Deli, It’s one of the best deli’s I’ve been to in the city.
If you ever plan on coming down to the shore I highly recommend checking out Pete & Elda’s Pizzeria, They have the best thin crust pizza and the bar there is great! It’s so hard to scale it down to a few places!
SG:Well it depends on what you like to eat! There are so many amazing pizzerias in New York and New Jersey! But there is a place in New York I did love and want to go back, it’s called Chat N Chew, I’ve only been there once but I plan on getting in contact with them and going back. I also recommend 696 Deli, It’s one of the best deli’s I’ve been to in the city.
If you ever plan on coming down to the shore I highly recommend checking out Pete & Elda’s Pizzeria, They have the best thin crust pizza and the bar there is great! It’s so hard to scale it down to a few places!
LVD: There’s a lot that goes into the food industry, how
would you describe the best food presentation?
SG: I think the best food presentations intrigue all your senses, for example if I order a nice meal like steak with veggies, I want to be able to see everything on the plate and for it to not look like it was just thrown together. My expectations are definitely higher if the restaurant I’m going to is more expensive but it’s very impressive when you go some place that is reasonably priced and is a “big deal” and will present you a great meal.
I also a find a presentation great if it is a unique food place
SG: I think the best food presentations intrigue all your senses, for example if I order a nice meal like steak with veggies, I want to be able to see everything on the plate and for it to not look like it was just thrown together. My expectations are definitely higher if the restaurant I’m going to is more expensive but it’s very impressive when you go some place that is reasonably priced and is a “big deal” and will present you a great meal.
I also a find a presentation great if it is a unique food place
LVD: What’s a perfect Small Chick, Big Deals V-day meal?
SG: I love to eat just about anything, but you can’t go wrong with Italian food or a pasta dish. I am also a sucker for any Colombian or Spanish food: a good piece of steak and rice & beans is perfect! It would have to be something filling and romantic. Desert wise, cupcakes and chocolates do the trick.
SG: I love to eat just about anything, but you can’t go wrong with Italian food or a pasta dish. I am also a sucker for any Colombian or Spanish food: a good piece of steak and rice & beans is perfect! It would have to be something filling and romantic. Desert wise, cupcakes and chocolates do the trick.
LVD: You mentioned that you interned for the Rachael Ray
show. How was that experience?
SG: It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. Rachael is an inspiration of mine. I was able to see all the aspects of working for a television show and how everyone’s role works with one another. It made me really want to work in the television industry. My intern schedule was crazy but I always made sure I ate breakfast when I came in and had lunch which would be anywhere from 1PM-4PM. We’d usually get out between 6-8 PM so it was long day but it was always worth it. The day usually consisted of going on runs for any of the needs of the team and then logging when I was in field, which was always a fun time.
SG: It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. Rachael is an inspiration of mine. I was able to see all the aspects of working for a television show and how everyone’s role works with one another. It made me really want to work in the television industry. My intern schedule was crazy but I always made sure I ate breakfast when I came in and had lunch which would be anywhere from 1PM-4PM. We’d usually get out between 6-8 PM so it was long day but it was always worth it. The day usually consisted of going on runs for any of the needs of the team and then logging when I was in field, which was always a fun time.
LVD: So, did you get to meet Rachael Ray, if so how is
she as a person?
SG: Yes I did. I met and introduced myself to her once. She was very polite and introduced herself and her security guard. I was fortunate to see her that time because she usually is there to tape and then leaves.
SG: Yes I did. I met and introduced myself to her once. She was very polite and introduced herself and her security guard. I was fortunate to see her that time because she usually is there to tape and then leaves.
LVD: If you don’t mind me asking, how was the hiring
process?
SG: In order to be hired as an intern I had to email the intern supervisor. I received an email a few days later asking to come in for an interview. It was group interview and we got to speak with her individually as well. I got an email getting offered the internship the next day. I highly recommend the internship to anyone who wants to pursue that field.
SG: In order to be hired as an intern I had to email the intern supervisor. I received an email a few days later asking to come in for an interview. It was group interview and we got to speak with her individually as well. I got an email getting offered the internship the next day. I highly recommend the internship to anyone who wants to pursue that field.
LVD: What advice would you give someone looking to do
what you are doing?
SG: I say if you are passionate about something try to pursue something in it. I love to eat and I always try to recommend restaurants to my friends. It only made sense for me to write reviews. If you are passionate about cars—blog about it! It doesn’t even have to be blogging but if you have enough passion to do something go for it, because people will see your passion and want to be a part of it.
SG: I say if you are passionate about something try to pursue something in it. I love to eat and I always try to recommend restaurants to my friends. It only made sense for me to write reviews. If you are passionate about cars—blog about it! It doesn’t even have to be blogging but if you have enough passion to do something go for it, because people will see your passion and want to be a part of it.
LVD: What does the future hold for Small Chick Big Deals,
what’s next?
SG: Right now I’ll be checking out some cupcake places and restaurants throughout New Jersey. I also have a list of places to go to once I’m back in the city. My dream would be to make Small Chick Big Deals into a television show, but we’ll see where it goes!
SG: Right now I’ll be checking out some cupcake places and restaurants throughout New Jersey. I also have a list of places to go to once I’m back in the city. My dream would be to make Small Chick Big Deals into a television show, but we’ll see where it goes!
LVD: What is your motivation in life?
SG: My motivation in life is definitely God, my boyfriend & family. They always are there for me and support me. I also motivate myself to achieve as much as I can and go beyond my limits. I never would have imagined I’d have so many places to go to and review its overwhelming in a great way but it’s just the beginning.
SG: My motivation in life is definitely God, my boyfriend & family. They always are there for me and support me. I also motivate myself to achieve as much as I can and go beyond my limits. I never would have imagined I’d have so many places to go to and review its overwhelming in a great way but it’s just the beginning.
LVD: Thank you Sara for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to do this interview. La vida
is about passion and inspiration, is there anything you would like to add that
I haven’t asked already?
SG: I believe you covered everything and I just want to remind everyone to pursue what you’re passionate about and everything will work itself out! Thank you for taking the time out to interview me!
SG: I believe you covered everything and I just want to remind everyone to pursue what you’re passionate about and everything will work itself out! Thank you for taking the time out to interview me!
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